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England have kept their options open for the series opener by including spin bowler Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five seamers

The fast bowler is declared fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth on Friday, with the last selection likely between off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four specialists plus all-rounder Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of seamers they have used in an Ashes match in this country

Recently WA groundsman Isaac McDonald stated to look for "speed and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible England will adhere to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

Yet the tourists have also spotted a dryness to the pitch, putting Bashir into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of this venue - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The English management have supported the young spinner, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for more than a year and in spring he became the youngest England bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

Yet he has missed a official match since taking the final wicket in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in recently

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been suffering from a broken finger and had challenges in the single preparation match against England Lions, recording combined figures of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This presents the scenario of the spinner playing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a first-class side

His deal at his county concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

Still, an England team including Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - stays the most likely outcome

The initial game starts at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights provided

England Squad

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Even though a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that triumphed at home in the celebrated contest of that year contained Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in 1954-55 contained Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in modern times - England are looking to reverse an poor history - they have been unable to secure a Test match in Australia since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have participated in a international Test in the host nation, but Atkinson states that could benefit the English team

"It could be an positive," he told the press

"There have been a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had challenging periods down under

"For us, we are a very relaxed, extremely confident squad

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to do something special"

Host Team Situation

The host team's practice session on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are expected to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Brendan Doggett also joining due to health issues to captain Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood